Thrust Reverser Cascade Air Extraction Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thrust reversers on aircraft engines are heavy, reducing fuel efficiency and aircraft capacity, and do not effectively utilize airflow to maximize reverse thrust performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a thrust reverser system that includes a cascade to direct air from the engine nacelle and an air extractor to extract air from the interior volume, combined with an air ejector to enhance airflow efficiency, allowing for reduced weight and increased performance by minimizing flow separation and increasing the effectiveness of the cascade vanes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a traditional thrust reverser system is used to provide reverse thrust, then reverse thrust performance is achieved, but the engine weight increases substantially reducing fuel efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts a portion of air from the interior volume of the engine nacelle using an air extractor positioned forward of the cascade. This extracted air is then directed through the cascade to generate reverse thrust. By utilizing extracted air rather than requiring all air to pass through a heavy traditional thrust reverser system, the invention reduces the weight of the thrust reverser components while maintaining reverse thrust performance.
2Force
If a traditional thrust reverser system is used to block forward thrust, then reverse thrust is generated, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an air extractor as an intermediary component that extracts air from the interior volume of the engine nacelle before it reaches the cascade. This intermediary extraction allows the system to utilize existing airflow paths and reduces the need for complex traditional thrust reverser mechanisms, thereby simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining reverse thrust capability.
3Reliability
If air is not extracted from the interior volume, then the thrust reverser structure must be longer to prevent flow separation, but this increases weight and reduces fuel efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by extracting air from the interior volume of the engine nacelle using the air extractor before the air reaches the cascade. This preliminary extraction of air prevents flow separation issues that would otherwise require a longer cascade structure, thereby allowing for a shorter, lighter cascade while maintaining reliable flow attachment and reverse thrust performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution results in a lighter thrust reverser system that maintains or improves reverse thrust performance, enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing engine weight while directing airflow more effectively to achieve the same thrust force with a shorter cascade length.
Implementation Method 1
an air extractor to extract a portion of air approaching the cascade from within the interior volume
Implementation Method 2
a cascade to direct air from an interior volume of an engine nacelle to generate reverse thrust with respect to a direction of travel
Data Source
AI summary
Thrust reversers and methods to provide reverse thrust are disclosed. An example thrust reverser includes a cascade to direct air from an interior volume of an engine nacelle to generate reverse thrust with respect to a direction of travel, and an air extractor to extract a portion of air approaching the cascade from within the interior volume.